Art and Craft, DIY, Uncategorized

How to Correctly Sculpt in Clay?

Creating art in a 3D environment can be an interesting artistic challenge. Modeling clay is a brilliant way to spark your creativity. However, if you are new to the business and wondering how to make sculptures at home, it can be difficult to know where to start. Ranging from choosing the correct type of clay to better your modeling technique, this article will help you get started.

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What types of clay can be used for sculpting?

There are different types of clay that can be used for sculpting and the most popular ones used are listed as follows for your convenience-

  • Polymer-Based Modelling Clay-
    It is quite soft in nature and can be baked in a home oven to set a composition. However, it can be prone to cracking and must be used with care.
  • Oil Based Modelling Clay-
    It may appear to be unrefined and it can also prove to be difficult to work through the detailing with this type of clay. But it’s still smooth and manageable, which makes it good for practicing.
  • Pottery Based Modelling Clay-
    This is a water-based clay that can be shaped and baked at temperatures above 121 ° C to stay strong and well molded. It is the method of making pottery for home crafters.

 

Laying Down the Process for Sculpting

Water-based or pottery-modeling clay would be the best choice for a professional-looking sculpture, but the process involved in making a 3-D sculpture out of it can be a bit challenging at first. Therefore, I have put down a process for the newbies to help start with it-

  1. The Vision of the Final Piece-
    It is good to have a clear idea of ​​what the final clay sculpture will look like. So, before you begin, sketch from various vantage points and imaginary projections. Also, take into account the dimensions of the main shapes and the aspect ratios.
  2. Test Your Modelling Clay for Wetness
    Now that you know what shape your sculpture will take, it’s time to pick up your tone. However, before you start, you should check that it is wet enough, as dry clay is difficult to work with.
    This is easy to test. Remove a small piece of clay that you want to use and spread it in your hand until it forms a cylinder. If it bends smoothly, it should be usable and if it cracks, try adding more water.
  3. Building Your Forms
    If you are working without a pottery wheel, there are still some easy ways to build shapes. Sound coils are a great way to build the sides into a hollow shape by placing the sound in a spiral will prevent it from easily collapsing. Gaps can also be created by pinching the clay and pulling it out with your thumb and forefinger.

Share your experience while sculpting in the comments below.

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